Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1887-08-25
THE EX-CONFEDERATES.
What the Missouri AssOcia-
tion has Accomplished.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE AN
NUAL REUNION AT MEX
ICo, MISSOURI.
Arrangements for the dwelling
of Monument at Pea
Ridge.
From the st. Louis Republican.

From the st. Louis Republican.
An increasing interest is manifest.
ed by the ex-Confederates of Miesou-
ri IN their state association and the
active efforts now being made for
the success of the annual reunion TO
be held at Mexico on the 14th and
10Th of September. A Republican
reporter, who yesterday called at the
comfortable headquarters of the as
sociation, 1000 Lucas place, found
the secretary, Judge G. A. DeFrance,
mailing posters and documents to
the fourteen Independents. "The
idea of forming state association"
said the secretary, "originated here
about years ago, the first aud most
active promoter being Maj. John S.
Melton of this city. There was a
hearty response from ali portions of
the state, and the first public meet
ing was held at Moberly, Sept. 2s,
1881. 1t was a very enthusiastic
gathering and surprisingly large.
The address of welcome was made
by P. j. Carmody, then Mayor of
Moberly, now a resident Of st.
Louis, and the annual address deliv-
cred by the late Gov. Reynolds.
The large crowd was handsomely en-
tertained by the citizens; articles of
organization were agreed upon, and
a committee appointed to prepare
and report constitution. Gen. Mar
maduke vas elected president, and
he appointed Capt. Lesseuer of Lex
ington, secretary, and Ed. Cunning
ham, of this city, treasurer. Sue
ceeding reunions have been held at
Sedalia, Jefferson City, Louisiana
and Marshall-all well attended and
proving pleasant and hospitable oc-
casions for the meeting of old
friends. The names, command, rank
and post.office address of all men,
bers are preserved in this volume
here, which is ia fact an army ros-
ter
Here the secretary opened a large
folio, indexed through, containing be-
tween 1900 and 5000 names, and in
tended to hold 10000.
THE CEMETERY.
cat the second meeting, at Sc
dalia," continued the secretary,
"steps were taken to improve the ex-
Confederate cemetery at Springfield,
Mo-, which contains about 400 of
our dead, and with so much spirit was
the undertaking assumed, and so
hearty the responses, that within a
year about $1,000 was collected and
beautiful and substantial stone en-
closure was made, under the super
intence of Architect Mcnamara. In
Msy last this property was turned
over to the State association by the
local committee of Springfield, which
has had it In charge, and henceforth
it will be cared for by the sssocla-
tion.''
"What are the future plans and
objects of the association" was
asked.
''Now that the cemetery is we'll in
hand one of the first undertakings
will be to erect monument there, on
which will be inscribed the names of
the 406 Confederate heroes whose
remains are lying in undistinguish-
able graves. Steps will also be taken
to assist the ladies of the ex-Confed-
crate Cemetery association at Vicks-
burg in erecting a suitable monu-
ment to the Missouri dead at that
place. At the Marshall reunion last
year the association by resolution
Expressed approval of the work of
the Sterling Price Monument asso-
citation. In regard to these two last
movements the results will be ac-
complished chiefly by individual aid,
subject to the general direction and
approval of the State ASSOCIATION.
THE FIRST OBJECT
stated in the constitution is 'to pro-
vide means for assisting those of its
members who have, by the strokes OF
war or misfortune, been rendered in.
capable of providing for themselves
and their families This is under
stood by some TO mean the establish.
ment of home for disabled and de,
pendent ex-Confederates. This end
has not been lost sight of, but nc
present need for such an institution
exists. You will be surprised, and
the members are much gratifed to
know, that during the seven years oi
existence the demands on the treas
ury on this line have not been more
than 500, and that mostly for bury
ing ex-Confedsrates whose families
.. or friends could not stand that ex
. pense. Local societies and individua
/ contributions have given relief il
some cases, but these, also, wer,
: comparatively in small degree"
..What are the qualifications O
; membership"
''That the applicant shall be resi-
dent of Missouri, in good stand
ing; shall have served the Confeder
\ acy, whether in the military, naval o
: tcival service, and shall pay the an
: nual due of 81. Citizens Of othe
Al.